By A. Michaeli
An atmosphere of feverish preparations, as always, envelops us all, from the moment the date of Yud-Alef Nissan appears on the horizon. An ever-growing inner sense of seriousness and honesty gets progressively stronger and soon, numerous ideas and plans are presented to Chassidim and mekusharim towards the goal of properly utilizing this holy day.
That’s the way it is; Chassidim are Chassidim, and in their personal world there is usually only one thing, that which they are connected to, the tree from which they derive life – the Rebbe.
As though by instinct, whenever an auspicious Chassidic date approaches, everyone starts to come awake in anticipation. Every auspicious date is a cornerstone for developing an enhancement, an improvement or greater determination in some spiritual area. Usually, if the day passes without the proper inspiration, the Chassidic conscience is likely to plague us without letup.
I think this assumption enjoys a consensus. I don’t think there is anyone who thinks otherwise. All agree that we need to add, improve, and upgrade, from the external to the internal and from the material to the spiritual.
The divergence begins when we seek to choose the topic, the objective, the data point, on which to focus, which needs to change. Here is where the “best minds of the Chassidus” step in, as well as other relevant parties who will proffer the best of their ideas.
Overall, we are dealing with a positive phenomenon, which is good and desirable. And I’ll tell you the truth, little me will remain, at least at this point in time, outside of the beehive of new initiatives, and leave the work to those who are better than me.
So what can I bring to the table?
Every beginner in the study of Chassidus knows that before doing mitzvos, we accept the yoke of heaven. The deeper the acceptance of the yoke, the greater the luminescence of the mitzvos and good deeds that follow. In other words, the proper investment in the foundation of a thing is what helps and adds value and beauty to the thing with all its details and components.
For Yud-Alef Nissan, I think we need to focus on cultivating our feelings as Chassidim about the Rebbe. It’s simple: in the heart of every Chassid there needs to be felt the “unit pride,” an inner joy that is derived from the fact that he is a Chassid of the Rebbe, that he has a Rebbe who is chai v’kayam.
Sometimes, from inattention, these feelings are muted. Yud-Alef Nissan is an ideal time to fan the flames, just to rejoice and sing: Ashreinu, mah tov chelkeinu, u’ma naim goraleinu (Fortunate are we, how good is our portion, and how pleasant our fate). How lucky we are that we have a Rebbe and guide for every step we take, from before birth until old age, a Rebbe who shows us the way of life and the purpose of our creation, a Rebbe who will swiftly come and redeem us.
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In the surgery department of Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, lay a patient who was recovering from a serious injury. In the nearby bed lay another patient who was recovering from an operation. Two Jews, both good people, and both with relatives who supported them throughout their hospital stay and showered them with warmth, devotion, and love. Within a few weeks, they improved and returned home to the delight of their families and friends.
There was just one small difference between the two of them. The first man was rich. He was generally pleased with himself. In his spiritual world, he did not lack for anything. “I am a Litvak and don’t come from any Chassidic stock,” he announced.
The other man is a Lubavitcher Chassid, rich with substance and Chassidishe chayus, and someone who examines everything with a Chassidic-spiritual perspective. He is never satisfied with his spiritual state. As a Chassid, he knows that he must always add and innovate and if necessary, correct.
It was an evening in Adar. I went into his room to help the Chassid and when he wanted to sleep, I left. In the hall, I met the Litvak walking slowly and carefully and we exchanged greetings. He asked me, “Can we talk?” “Of course,” I answered.
We left the department, went out to the corridor and sat down on a comfortable couch. He began:
“This afternoon, a group of men came to visit your relative. I was lying in bed and couldn’t help overhearing their conversation. One of them, a young, dynamic fellow, who was the main speaker, directed the conversation. They spent a good hour in the room talking.
“What did they talk about, do you know? I will tell you. For an hour, at least fifty minutes, they spoke only about the Rebbe! The Rebbe said this, did that, the Rebbe instructed, he gave orders, etc. I want to know whether this is how it is in Chabad. Do you have no other topics of conversation?”
I asked him whether, perhaps what bothered him was their talking about the Rebbe as Moshiach, but no. He did not remember whether that had even come up. “They simply discussed one thing only – the Rebbe. And I, please forgive me, don’t understand it. There are other Chassidic courts in the world and they also speak about their Rebbe when they meet, but how much time do you think they dedicate to this? Five minutes, ten minutes maximum, and then they move on to other subjects: work, health, chinuch, the stock market, and random topics. With you it’s exaggerated; you talk exclusively about the Rebbe as though there is nothing else. Explain this to me.”
Hearing this, my eyes and heart opened. I looked upward and thought: Hodu l’Hashem ki tov! Ashreinu ma tov chelkeinu! True, it’s a great pity on this man who had yet to understand what is light, but it was then that I understood anew the goodness of our portion that we merited to be Chassidim of the Rebbe, to strongly bond with him, and to live with the Rebbe all the time.
Yes, my dear friend. You expressed it so well when you said we have no other topic to discuss besides the Rebbe. I just feel I need to explain that this means that we strive that every involvement and undertaking, in every area of our lives, be permeated with the awareness of the Rebbe. Which means to say, that every action that we take be in accordance with the will of the Rebbe and a nachas for him.
And if previously, in the various vales of tears, when it wasn’t possible to contact the Rebbe, Chassidim knew who to ask and do the opposite, I think we can learn for our generation that when criticism comes from that source, it’s the sweetest compliment to us.
Until we encounter what is missing by those that don’t have what we have, we don’t appreciate what we have. So, in my humble opinion, on the Rebbe’s birthday, let us cultivate the feeling of happiness and that sweet feeling of belonging, to add strength and courage to our hiskashrus, so that we will fulfill proudly and fully all of his directives.
This is how we will prepare ourselves and the world to greet Moshiach, may it be now.